No matter how smoothly your business is running, you can always improve company culture. In times of change and adaptation, a company culture inventory is a good idea. So, what is company culture? Your company’s culture is your organization’s shared goals, attitudes, values, and beliefs.
Company culture is the core set of values that unite your team in cooperation. Ideally, all work, communication, and output flow out of this cohesive, intentional belief system. While each company’s culture might look different, cultures tend to reflect similar values like integrity, transparency, and a healthy, inclusive work environment.
Whether your organization is facing new challenges or you’re looking to boost your team’s morale, the following steps can help improve company culture for the benefit of all.
Emphasize Purpose
One thing most people share is a desire for purpose. While it’s up to each individual to engage, you can help improve company culture by establishing and reinforcing your team’s positive sense of purpose.
It’s well established that people have a desire for meaningful work. Enthusiasm, motivation, and focus all improve when people firmly believe they are doing something that matters. Company leaders can have a significant impact on how team members view their roles and tasks.
Here are some simple tips for creating a sense of purpose:
- Highlight how a team member’s work has benefited others
- Talk about your company’s goals and beliefs
- Draw attention to how employees have contributed to goal-reaching
- Share and celebrate positive feedback from clients or customers
When people know they’re part of something greater, they thrive. A belief that one’s day-to-day work positively impacts the world supports positive company culture.
Click here to check out some great tips on how to make company meetings more productive.
Recognize Contributions
When we’re focused on goals and growth, it can be easy to forget about the milestones along the way. But company culture can get a serious boost from occasionally pausing to recognize contributions, achievements, and met goals.
While keeping an eye on the future is necessary, that doesn’t mean your company can’t create space to celebrate the victories along the way. Taking time to acknowledge and call out contributions and successes builds confidence, satisfaction, and a sense of pride.
Encouraged and recognized employees are less likely to leave, so practicing recognition is excellent for turnover. But the goal is not to only pass praise from the top down. Ideally, you create a company culture that celebrates positive behavior and contributions peer-to-peer.
Foster Strong Employee Relationships
Any team can feel connected. Even a remote workforce can connect creatively and intentionally to support strong employee relationships. Being part of something bigger and feeling camaraderie is critical to team morale and improves overall performance.
Employees who feel disconnected, left out, or unappreciated are at high risk for dissatisfaction, burnout, or even departure. What’s more, team members who don’t feel close to employers and fellow employees are less likely to ask questions, seek help, or request feedback. They can fall behind or out-of-step, causing their work to suffer.
Even in remote scenarios, one-on-one interaction is still the number one way to build relationships. Whether in-person or over Zoom, try to have regular check-ins where everyone can engage, speak, exchange ideas, and ask questions. Encourage open communication, so coworkers feel comfortable reaching out for help, clarification, or even encouragement when necessary.
Strong Company Culture In Summary
Every company is different, and every employee is unique. But it’s easy to see the common themes in positive company culture. Open communication keeps coworkers engaged, connected, and up-to-speed. Strong employee relationships create a sense of belonging and result in meaningful support among coworkers.
Having a clear set of beliefs and goals instills confidence and purpose in every member of your team, helping them feel necessary and significant. Surprisingly, it’s often the little things that make all the difference. And the little things are usually all about human connection, clear communication, and positive reinforcement.
Want to optimize your performance to benefit your whole company? Read about game-changing morning habits that will sharpen your mind, and help you accomplish more.